Mar 27, 2017

Lavender wedding toss - a fragrant, eco-friendly send off for the happy groom and bride. For years it was rice until the myth got started that birds would pay the ultimate price for making a meal of the leftover rice. Turns out it wasn't true at all, but no kind hearted bride wanted anything bad to happen on this beautiful day. This lovely French blend of dried lavender flowers is grown on a family farm in the Walla Walla Valley in Washington state. A large one pound bag (16 cups) is harvested, dried, sifted and cleaned to create the perfect going away wedding toss. The seller suggests that depending on whether you wrap the lavender in small tulle bags or present in a large decorative bowl for guests to scoop, a one pound bag should supply 50 to one hundred guests with lavender to toss. One unexpected bonus - gently crushing the lavender flowers will release a fragrance all will find is refreshing, calming and rejuvenating.

Mar 26, 2017

This beautiful bride and her flower girl share a secret confidence that they are the two luckiest girls in the world at this very moment. One has been on a mission to determine if her man is smart enough, employed enough, funny enough, and good to her mother and sister enough, to earn his place as her husband to be. Lucky for him, he passed the test. The little girl thinks boys are boring and yucky but loves the bride's strapless lace dress with hand sewn pearls and sweetheart neckline. Plenty of time for her to size up every new boyfriend's personality and potential. Right now these two only have eyes for each other. A tender moment both breathtaking and beautiful.

Mar 20, 2017

Why look at fall wedding dessert ideas on the first day of Spring? Because this year is already going by so fast, it seems like Christmas was just a few minutes instead of a few months ago. Time to think about a fall dessert that looks as good as it tastes and will be well-loved by Mom, Dad, Uncle Pete and all the cousins from Daytona Beach. Of course, I'm talking about donuts. Cream filled donuts with strawberry topping and cream puffs drizzled with milk chocolate icing. Cinnamon sugar donuts with a white sugar glaze. Here you see only five different varieties of raised donuts, but arranged in colorful, cascading tiers - looking like enough to feed a happy, hungry (and grateful) group of wedding guests.

Mar 13, 2017

Is this honeymoon fund jar a good (socially acceptable) wedding reception idea? I personally love it - a whimsical glass jug with a handwritten "honeymoon fund" label for all to see. Guests can chip in a dollar or two or ten, or simply take a pass. Even children will love putting coins in a "piggy bank" for the bride and groom. If I just spent sixty bucks (as a gift) on a Cuisinart 8 cup rice cooker with a sleek, modern design and chrome-plated handles, I still would have a hard time passing by the jar without reaching into my wallet. Maybe it will go toward a two hour surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach or a mountain biking tour in Florence, Italy. Or just a romantic candlelit dinner much closer to home. Give a little or give a lot, and make the honeymoon more affordable for the newly married couple you love best.

Mar 3, 2017

Hard not to be filled with joy and happiness at a colorful Mexican themed wedding reception. Even if you were delayed by a flat tire or speeding ticket on the way. Mexican weddings are so well-loved that in many small towns in Mexico, everyone (and I mean everyone) is invited to attend. And with all the guests come generous bowls of spicy rice, beans and tortillas filled with chicken and beef. Kind hearted neighbors will proudly offer homemade Sangria made with red or white wine, brandy, orange juice and freshly sliced fruit. The local Mariachi band will sing and entertain with violins, trumpets and round-backed guitars. It's not just "your" fiesta themed wedding, it's a local celebration and everyone joyfully pitches in. Can you imagine how wonderful and less stressful it would be to have this much help on the wedding day of your dreams?

Mar 1, 2017

This ring security invitation and badge is money well spent in so many ways. You want your sweet six year old nephew to feel like a major player at your wedding...this will do the trick. You need to find a cute little keepsake so he'll remember his "secret mission" and the honor of guarding the cherished rings. Twenty five dollars may seem like a lot for this personalized ring bearer invitation and nickel-plated steel badge, but I'm more than confident (having small boys in the family from ages four to six) that this Security Officer badge will be worn morning, noon and night and probably be the favorite with the other boys at "Show and Tell." Let him feel he has the most important duty of the day with this handsome Calling All Security Forces invitation and badge.